Barbara Elaine Bunch

Barbara Elaine Bunch, 84 years of age, of Winterset, Iowa, (formerly of Albia, Iowa), passed away on February 7, 2026.

Barbara was born on July 2, 1941, to Frank Orval and Elsie Baird in Albia, Iowa. She grew up on a farm in rural Blakesburg, Iowa alongside her sisters.

In her early school days she attended Miller Ridge, which was a one-room country schoolhouse. She attended Albia High School and graduated in 1959.

On September 13th of 1959, she married George Bunch. They were married for almost 60 years until his passing in 2019. They started their lives together on a farm near Lovilia. They moved into the town of Lovilia in 1974 and Albia in 1991.

They had two sons and a daughter. It was discovered that their two sons had Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a debilitating disease that would reshape their lives in challenging ways. As their sons' physical needs increased, Barbara cared for them with unwavering love and devotion for many years.

Barbara moved to Urbandale in 2019 following George's passing. In 2025, she moved to Azria Health in Winterset.

She is survived by her daughter Lynda (Jeff) Niffenegger of Urbandale; granddaughter, Lindsey (Mike) Frandsen; and great granddaughters, Emerson and Sawyer Frandsen of Clive. She also has many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by husband, George Bunch; her sons, Keith and Dan Bunch; her grandson, Lucas Niffenegger; her parents, Frank Orval and Elsie Baird; her sisters, Grace Baird, Doris Epps and Sarah Ann Hindman and their spouses, Jack Hindman and jack Epps. Also preceding her in passing are her husband's family, her father and mother-in-law, James and Irene Bunch; her sisters-in-law and spouses, Dorothy and John Cotter, Helen and Clarence Baker, Ruth and Harold Belzer; brother-in-law, Walter Bundh and sister-in-law, Carol Belzer.

Her family was always most important to her. She always looked forward to visits and time with them. In her later years she found particular joy with visits from her great granddaughters and they in her.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Barbara's family present to greet family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Pastor John Sowers officiating. A private family burial will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery in Lovilia, IA.

Memorials have been established to Woodlawn Cemetery in Lovilia and the Welcome Home Soldier Monument in Albia.